As the UK government prepares to unveil its new immigration White Paper, migrants—including thousands of Nigerians in the UK—may soon face tougher requirements to remain in the country.

One of the major changes? A higher level of English fluency.
Currently, migrants applying for work visas need only GCSE-level English (a basic standard for everyday conversations). Under Labour’s proposed plan, this will rise to A-Level standard—a much more advanced level requiring candidates to speak fluently, spontaneously, and effectively across social, academic, and professional settings.

For Nigerians hoping to stay long-term, there’s more. The government wants to extend the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—from five years to as long as ten years, especially for those who do not meet the new English standard or who have financial instability or long absences from the UK.

“If you want to come here, you must contribute and integrate,” said a government source, signaling a firmer stance on assimilation.

The reforms, led by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are part of a broader effort to reduce net migration, which peaked at 900,000 under the Conservatives and currently stands at 728,000. Labour wants to bring it down significantly, especially amid pressure from right-wing Reform UK, which gained traction in recent local elections.

Migrants may also need to demonstrate belief in British values like democracy and tolerance, although how this will be measured remains unclear.

For employers, the message is also clear: train British workers first.
Industries seeking foreign labour must prove they are actively upskilling local talent. Those who breach labour laws—such as failing to pay minimum wage—could lose the right to hire from abroad altogether.

Graduate visas face overhaul too.
International students, including many Nigerians, may soon only stay in the UK post-graduation if they secure a graduate-level job—possibly in specific sectors.

While these new rules are designed to strengthen the UK’s immigration system and reduce dependency on foreign labour, they may also introduce new barriers for highly skilled Nigerians seeking to settle or work in the UK.

With the full White Paper due next week, thousands in the Nigerian diaspora are watching closely.

The UK govt seems to be doing as they like using legal immigrants as bait to toil with the emotions of the British against the ones they sweet mouth to come to their country and now leaving them hanging.

It's just so sad and bad.